BlackBerry Joins with World Champion Surfers to Raise $260,000 for SurfAid

A while back ago the interwebs were stirring with a rumor that Research In Motion would be getting involved with Surfing. It wasn’t clear how, but the rumor also suggested that one of the BlackBerry 10 phones would be dubbed ‘SurfBoard’. Nevertheless, it looks like BlackBerry is involved with Surfing as they’ve just held the SurfAid Ball at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf, Sydney, which will become an annual fundraiser for SurfAid.

“I am blown away by how much money we raised at our first BlackBerry SurfAid Ball,” Lanchester said. “This will make a real difference to the people who need it most in the remote Mentawai Islands of Indonesia. A big thank you to all involved, particularly Tim Finn, The Beautiful Girls, Mark Mathews and all the pro surfers who so generously gave their time and effort on the night.”

SurfAid Australia board member Charlie Lanchester, who is deputy head of Australian Equities at Perpetual, said the event sold out quickly with 530 supporters.

“I am blown away by how much money we raised at our first BlackBerry SurfAid Ball,” Lanchester said. “This will make a real difference to the people who need it most in the remote Mentawai Islands of Indonesia. A big thank you to all involved, particularly Tim Finn, The Beautiful Girls, Mark Mathews and all the pro surfers who so generously gave their time and effort on the night.”

Current world champion Carissa Moore said it was important for surfers and people in general to give to SurfAid. “We get to travel and surf some of the most amazing places and it’s the least we can do to give back to those communities that share with us those amazing waves and their culture,” Moore said.

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Mark Mathews delivered an inspiring speech on facing fear, which was a highlight of the night.

Guests included the new CEO of Perpetual, Geoff Lloyd, Head of Equities at RBS, Justin Gallagher, Head of Investment Banking at Merrill Lynch, Kevin Skelton, Head of Dealer Groups at BT Financial, Matt Englund, the CEO of Football Australia, Ben Buckley, and Billabong CEO Derek O’Neill.

The BlackBerry SurfAid Ball was held at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf, Sydney and will become an annual fundraiser for SurfAid.